Around the month of August, many doctors are trying to figure out what their roles are. Some are fresh graduates facing new employment, specialities and co-workers. Settling down can be challenging around this period. At the same time, there are chances of an increase in anxiety and stress levels.
The stress starts to be more obvious around the sixth week because people start realising that the job is more demanding than they thought. Because of this fact, some may experience stress, anxiety and fatigue. To avoid things getting out of control, we would love to share some helpful advice on how to take care of yourself and your co-workers.
Bodily needs and personal care
The basic things we require as human beings are mentioned in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. These include food, water and sleep. Still, many doctors neglect these things as they go about their shifts. If you don’t fulfil these needs, you will become sick, mentally and emotionally. This causes several eath issues that can be critical in the long run. So, are you taking care of yourself, and paying attention to what your body needs?
Based on the common advice from the Best Private GPs in London, we have narrated some useful tips for new and seasoned doctors.
- Drink a lot of water
Drink plenty of water during the day. You can get yourself a water bottle, and fill it up as you need to. - Get a pair of convenient shoes
Because you’ll be moving around a lot, you need something you can easily walk in, that won’t hurt your feet. - Do stretches throughout the day
Stretches will help to reduce pain in your joints and muscles, while also giving you energy to function. - Ease yourself if you need to
Don’t delay using the restroom when you need to. Waiting till it gets more urgent can lead to embarrassing situations. - Eat as you need
Take time out to eat. Carry some snacks with you. It gives you the energy to focus and makes you a safer practitioner to be around. - Go out and get some breeze during your shift
Breathing in fresh air can help to reduce stress and anxiety. It boosts your energy and helps you to be more efficient and concentrate better. - Shut your mind from work at the end of your shift
Don’t take work home. Make sure you delegate tasks before you leave, so they are not left undone, so you can concentrate and have some time for yourself. - Get some sleep and rest
As we know, the human body requires 8 hours of deep sleep. Check out if you are laking to it. There are apps that can help if you’re having trouble with sleep, Some include a hypnosis audio, meditation audio, yoga and so on. - Do some exercises
You can engage in any exercise that works for you and your schedule. Exercise helps in easing tension and body stress. - Don’t use alcohol to relieve stress
If you want to take alcohol, do so in moderation. You can take it with a dinner, so you can control how much you drink. If you’re practising substance misuse, please seek help. - Plan your annual leaves
Leaves are the best time to get much-needed rest. The anticipation can be good for you. And you can use the time to do something fun and exciting. - Enrol with a health practitioner you trust
If you won’t prefer to be caught unaware, find a practitioner you can trust and register on time. so you don’t add to your stress by trying to a doctor when you’re already sick. You should also look for a Private GP in London or wherever you are.
How to manage anxiety?
Anxiety is one of the most common reasons for doctors. It doesn’t matter if they are new and just starting their careers or experienced consultants, who have allowed anxiety buildup over a period.
A lot of doctors don’t like asking for help because they don’t want to seem weak. But there’s nothing wrong with asking for assistance. In fact, it shows a sign of maturity in handling challenging situations.
When you’re new, you might not be having a lot of responsibility, especially the ones that make the difference between life and death. They’ll expect you not to know so much, and there will be others in the ward to assist you.
The more anxious you feel, the more likely you’ll continue your behaviour and make mistakes or do the wrong thing. So, it’s advisable to consider a CBT or talk to a professional, about how you feel.
Stress Management
Being in a medical occupation can be a stressful. And many doctors do experience stress from time to time. But when it becomes a serious issue, then it needs urgent attention.
This can be frustrating and overwhelming for new doctors who are still trying to find their footing and manage the stress of the job. This can keep them away from enjoying the role, they studied quite hard for.
You must know and do this,
- Speak up if you feel overwhelmed, so you can get help within time
- Stress is normal to everyone, especially in medicine
- Prioritise your workload according to its importance.
- Take a 5-minute break to gather your composure, if you feel stressed. Don’t feel you have to do everything or be everywhere all at once. You will be a better doctor and your patients will feel safer with you.
- Don’t let mistakes get you down. Instead, reflect on them, learn from them and move forward.
Last but not the least, there’s a lot of support for doctors and other health practitioners to help them with their wellbeing. This can also be done confidentially. You can also book an appointment with private GP london.
